Chase House Limited

Updated 12 August 2021

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors.

Service and service type

Chase House Limited is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 08 July and ended on 21 July 2021. We visited the service on 08 July 2021.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with nine people who used the service and five relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 13 members of staff including the registered manager, clinical lead, senior care workers, care workers, members of the housekeeping department and members of the catering department. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files and one agency staff file in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 12 August 2021

About the service

Chase House Limited is a care home providing personal and nursing care to 46 people who may be living with dementia, a physical disability or sensory impairment, at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 50 people. The service is split across two floors, with bedrooms having ensuite toilets and sharing facilities including communal lounges, a conservatory and garden.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Quality assurance processes were in place, however required development to ensure they were robust. The registered manager told us the quality assurance system was being reviewed to ensure it drove change and improvement in the service.

People and relatives spoke positively about the service. One person told us, “They look after you quite well. I feel safe living here.” One relative told us, “[Relative] is definitely safe. I have never had any concerns or issues. The carers are very good, as they have an understanding of [relative's] condition and really try to help and put extra things in place." Another relative told us, "Despite limited access to the home over recent months we continue to have confidence the care provided is of a high standard. We are grateful to care staff in keeping [relative] safe."

People’s care and support needs and the associated risks had been assessed and guidance was recorded within peoples care plans.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Systems were in place to manage infection control. Staff were provided with adequate supply of face masks, gloves and aprons.

Staffing levels were adequate to meet people’s needs. People and relatives were familiar with the staff. One relative told us, “I know the staff well. It is nice because I have got to know staff and they know me now by my first name. They know [relative] well and what [relative] likes.” Another relative told us,” Always a lot going on and staff to support people."

Staff encouraged people to participate in activities available in the home. Activity co-ordinators were knowledgeable of peoples interests and hobbies and were passionate in providing a range of activities for all.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 20 March 2019.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received relating to risk management. This risk related to an increase in medication errors and concerns related to staffing levels. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.

The overall rating for the service has remained good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Chase House Limited on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.